Editor's note: London-based journalist Ravi Ubha writes about international soccer for the Seattle P-I. Here he profiles Sounders FC player Fredrik Ljungberg, who has spent most of his professional career in England.

HE'S NOT LACKING in female admirers, won league titles with one of the top clubs in the world, and captained his soccer-mad country in major international tournaments.

He lines up in midfield, owns a tattoo or two, and scores key goals.

Sound familiar?

No, it's not global icon David Beckham, but rather Fredrik Ljungberg, sure to make a splash when Sounders FC begins its inaugural campaign in Major League Soccer this spring. Google the Swede's name, and the first thing that pops up is four pictures of the 31-year-old clad only in Calvin Klein undies, thankfully unaccompanied by Posh Spice.

Ljungberg, no longer an underwear model, became arguably the second-biggest name in MLS when he signed a multiyear contract worth a reported $2.5 million per season in October, bypassing possible alternatives in Italy and Spain. He's getting the big money to help Sounders FC avoid the usual expansion misery.

"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of girls excited that he's coming to Seattle," said Seattle native Marcus Hahnemann, who has faced Ljungberg as a goalkeeper with Reading and last bumped into him when the two underwent a random drug test after a game last season. "He's a good-looking guy, there's no way to get around it."

Few expect Ljungberg to match Beckham when it comes to boosting merchandising revenue. Sounders FC, though, might have a decent chance of surpassing Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy on the field, no doubt an enticing prospect for Sounders FC's more than 17,000 season-ticket holders.

In Beckham's first two seasons in California, the Galaxy failed to make the playoffs and parted company with Dutch manager Ruud Gullit, a former European stalwart at A.C. Milan, where Beckham is temporarily plying his trade.

Sounders FC brass won't have to worry about Ljungberg making the long journey from the Pacific Northwest to Europe to participate in internationals, since he retired from the national team after Sweden's premature exit from last summer's European Championships.

"You've got a player that's played for some top, top teams in the world," said Hahnemann, who hopes to finish his career in Seattle. "It's a draw having him."

Ljungberg made his name at Arsenal, the third-most successful team in English league history and the second-most successful in the Football Association Cup, regarded as soccer's oldest cup competition, dating to 1871. More than a few would argue the winger is a better player than Beckham, a former mainstay at Manchester United.

While Beckham's ability to cross and unleash free kicks is almost unrivaled, he lacks pace, can't dribble past defenders and is heavily reliant on his right foot. The 5-foot-9 Ljungberg terrorizes opponents with his speed -- even if he has lost a tad -- unlocks defenses and is at ease on either wing. His work rate isn't bad, either.

Signed by revered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Ljungberg quickly endeared himself to Gunners fans by scoring in his debut against much loathed Manchester United in 1998.

Four years later, part of a squad that featured standouts Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, Ljungberg outshone them all (literally, with his red hair) and scored six goals down the stretch to lead Arsenal to Premier League glory. He was named the league's player of the year and tallied 17 goals in all competitions.

By that time, spectators at Arsenal's historic Highbury stadium in North London were busy chanting, "We love you Freddie, 'cos you've got red hair, we love you Freddie, 'cos you're everywhere, we love you Freddie, trust in me when I say," referencing the Frankie Valli classic, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."

There was more adoration in 2003-04, when Ljungberg's Arsenal became the first top-flight English side since Preston in 1888-89 to finish a league season unbeaten, thus earning the nickname "Invincibles."

Flirting with history isn't uncommon for Ljungberg. He scored the first goal in an FA Cup final outside England, doing it in Wales in 2001 as Wembley Stadium in London was being rebuilt, and was the first player in 40 years to score in back-to-back FA Cup finals.

His nine years with Arsenal produced 72 goals in 328 appearances, good enough to make him the team's 11th-greatest player of all time according to an online poll.

"He definitely plays with a winning attitude and is a player that can make the difference in a game with his extreme quality as a goal scorer," former Swedish international Lars Eriksson said. "He also creates space for other players.

Ljungberg's prosperous stint with Arsenal ended in 2007. Frustrated by the departure of Henry and Wenger's reluctance to buy big-name replacements, he joined London rival West Ham in what turned out to be an unsuccessful move.

Hampered by migraines and various injuries, including broken ribs, Ljungberg started only 22 of 38 league games last season. One of the highest earners as the Hammers' financial fortunes dipped, his contract was terminated by mutual consent in August.

"We all knew what a great player he was coming from Arsenal and there were a lot of injuries, unfortunately, that he suffered, and because of that he just wasn't able to make the impact we all knew he could," said West Ham defender Jonathan Spector, a U.S. international recovering from a hip injury.

"It was a little bit disappointing to see that. The fans were disappointed, and the players felt that he could help the team. But he's still a very good player. It was just one of those seasons for us where we had a number of injuries, and unfortunately he was one of the casualties as well."

Ljungberg's agent, Claes Elefalk, claims his client's health problems, which accumulated toward the end of his Arsenal career, are over.

"Over the last 10 years he's averaging some 35-40 games per season, which is much more than most players around the world," Elefalk said. "Yes, he's been injured, but he has played more than anybody else as well.

"Also, Freddie is a player that is tremendously fit and strong physically. It means his career has the chance to be longer than most average good players."

That also means he might be in Seattle for an extended period.

And take note, ladies. Elefalk says Ljungberg is currently unattached.